The New Pictorialism II

In the 19th century, photographers struggled to be seen as artists, and not merely technicians. The Pictorialists wanted to make photography an art form, and they went far beyond mere technical capture of a subject. They wanted to make objects of art that were beautiful and expressed personal emotion. To this end, they heavily modified their images. Pictorialist photographers were more interested in art and aesthetics than subject matter. Pictorialists aimed for emotional impact, rich and delicate images, and poetic interpretations. It also took a lot from the styles of painting in its day, particularly Romanticism and Impressionism. Pictorialism often has a spiritual quality, where the photographer listens to the "still, small, voice". Pictorialism faded with the advent of Photographic Modernism, which was inspired by photographic technology itself. In the 21st century, a New Pictorialism, fueled by the power of image editing tools, is becoming increasingly important.

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Announced:

Tuesday, 18th September, 2012 (GMT)

Submissions:

Tuesday, 25th September, 2012 –
Monday, 1st October, 2012
(GMT)

Voting:

Tuesday, 2nd October, 2012 –
Monday, 8th October, 2012
(GMT)

Processing rules:

- A photograph — or photographs — must be the basis for your final image, and not generated renderings.

- Post-process to your heart’s desire; just be sure that you stay closer to photography than to digital art. If you include textures, perhaps you can use photographed textures.

- The older Pictorialist images were typically black and white, with heavy toning and image manipulation done in post processing. You may want to stay closer to this method by converting your color digital image to black and white, then adding toning. However, color is acceptable.

- Your final image ought to be beautiful, not edgy, not grungy.

Capture date rules:

No restrictions.

Additional rules:

- Dpreview is a family website, so be sure that your images avoid the nudity that was often found in the original Pictorialists. Avoid violence and other distasteful or illegal stuff.

- The artistic and emotional qualities of the final image are more important that the subject matter.

- Heavy post-processing is a given.

- Composite images are encouraged.

- Be inspired by paintings, especially paintings of the 19th century.

- Allegory and symbolism is encouraged.

- Subjectivism is highly encouraged.

- Aim for a final image that has a dreamlike quality, a definite mood, or allegorical character.

Horseshoe Bay, Port Elliott, South Australia. Having forgotten to pack waterproof clothes in my enthusiasm over a new lens, I was soaked to the bone and miserably wiping down my neutral density and polarising filter. Salvaged this shot from the storm.

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